Formula 3

Formula 3 has a very long tradition, especially in Britain where the 500cc racing movement of the late 1940s grew into the international Formula 3. Formula Junior took its place in the late 1950s but it was reintroduced in 1964 for 1000cc engines. This was changed to 1600cc in 1971 and then 2000cc in 1974. It is still running to broadly the same formula today.

A FIA European championship was introduced in 1975 and ran until 1984 when it was replaced by a one-race European Cup.

Cooper were the biggest name of the 500cc era and Brabham similarly dominated the 1960s 1-litre and 1.6-litre period. March, Chevron, Ralt and Martini fought through the 1970s before the Ralt RT3s started to dominate from 1982 onwards.

Our coverage starts with the British series at the start of the 2-litre era and then moves to Italy.

The cars

The main cars in the British series during the 1975-1986 period were the Anson SA3C; Argo JM6 and Argo JM8; Chevron B34, Chevron B38, Chevron B43 and Chevron B47; GRD 373, GRD 374 and GRD 375; Lola T770; March 733, March 743, March 753, March 763, March 773, March 783, March 793, March 803 and March 813; Modus M1; Ralt RT1, Ralt RT3, Ralt RT3/80, Ralt RT3/81, Ralt RT3/82, Ralt RT3/83, Ralt RT3/84, Ralt RT30 and Ralt RT30/86; and Reynard 853 and Reynard 863.